NUMSA members picket outside IDC over looming ArcelorMittal retrenchments
In January, the company announced that it would be shutting down its long steel making operations in Newcastle and Vereeniging, putting at risk over 3,000 jobs.
- National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA)
- Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
- Job losses
On 21 February 2025, NUMSA staged a picket outside the IDC over looming retrenchments of an estimated 3,500 employees at ArcelorMittal South Africa. Picture: Thandoluhle Ngcobo / Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) members are picketing outside the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) offices, over looming retrenchments of about 3,500 employees at ArcelorMittal South Africa.
In January, the company announced that it would be shutting down its long steel-making operations in Newcastle and Vereeniging.
It said finding a solution in the business has been slow.
READ: Gauteng govt concerned about looming losses at ArcellorMittal
The union said ArcelorMittal has indicated that it would communicate a decision at the end of this month on whether to proceed with retrenchments if the government doesn't come to the party.
NUMSA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola:
“There will be a loss of at least 3,500 direct jobs. But analysts are telling us that, that effect could actually be much higher, we're talking as high as 100,000 jobs lost.”
[HAPPENING] The National Union of Metalworkers Of South Africa (NUMSA)is staging a picket outside the industrial Development Corporation over the looming retchenchments of an estimated 3500 employees - At ArcelorMittal South Africa pic.twitter.com/JvtKZ1Az38
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 21, 2025